This filling braise will not only tickle your taste buds, but will feed your family for the better part of a week!

By Voula Halliday

Makes 4 to 6 servings* with leftovers

6 lb. (3 kg) thickly cut bone-in beef short ribs or 5 lb. (2.5 kg) boneless stewing beef
6 slices bacon, chopped into bite-sized pieces
3 medium onions, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 tbsp (45 mL) Voula's zesty beef seasoning
1 10-oz. (284-mL) can undiluted beef broth
1 28-oz. (796-mL) can crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup (125 mL) crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup (50 mL) fresh cilantro or parsley, finely chopped

1. Place bacon into a large, wide saucepan over medium-high heat; cook, stirring occasionally until bacon is just crisp.
2. Add 1/3 of beef into pan; sear without stirring for about 1 to 2 minutes per side until a nutty, brown crust is formed. Remove all meat from pan. Repeat with remaining beef, working in batches.
3. Reduce heat to medium then add onions; cook, stirring often, until onions start to soften. Add garlic; cook, stirring constantly, for another minute until garlic is aromatic.
4. Stir in seasoning, then beef broth and crushed tomatoes until evenly combined.
5. Return cooked bacon, beef and juices to pan. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until beef is tender and falling off the bone, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Note: To store leftover beef, first separate sauce from meat. (You should have about 4 cups (1 L) sauce total.) Remove bones from beef and discard. Store in 1-cup (250-mL) containers for later use. Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze.

*Based on standard 1/2 cup (125 mL) protein per serving per person.

Variations

• In a pinch, substitute chicken for beef broth, adding 1 tbsp (30 mL) tamari or soy sauce to boost flavour and add a beefy complexity to the dish.
• If you don't have any of Voula's seasoning mix on hand, substitute 2 tbsp (30 mL) chili powder and 2 tsp (10 mL) dried thyme. It will give you a different flavour that's just as good.

Voula's Zesty Beef Seasoning

The perfect seasoning for braised beef, this blend is also delicious as a rub for grilled beef and ribs or on chicken, pork, lamb or game.

Makes 1/2 cup (125 mL)

1/4 cup (50 mL) oregano
1/4 cup (50 mL) chili powder
1 tbsp (15 mL) onion powder
1 tbsp (15 mL) ground cumin
1 tbsp (15 mL) ground coriander
1 tbsp (15 mL) sweet smoked paprika or sweet paprika

Combine all ingredients and store in a jar until ready to use.